The physicist Stephen Hawking died today, Wednesday 14 of march 2018, at his home in Cambridge. He died at the age of 76 leaving a legacy that will live for many years.
He was diagnosed with ELA at the age of 22 and doctors expected him to live two more years. But his disease progressed more slowly than usual and he lived for 54 years more.
His first big discovery was in 1970 when he and Roger Penrose proved that a singularity (a region of infinite curvature in spacetime) lay at the same point from wich the big bang came. Then he made a lot of theories regarding the black holes that were his main area of research. He didn't prove them, of course, and a lot of physicists didn't agree with him, but his reaserch was a great break through in science. He also tried to join two great theories of physics into one and was the author of two great books. He never gave up during his life being a reference to follow to a lot of people. He was one of the greatest scientists of this world and he will always be remembered.
He was diagnosed with ELA at the age of 22 and doctors expected him to live two more years. But his disease progressed more slowly than usual and he lived for 54 years more.
His first big discovery was in 1970 when he and Roger Penrose proved that a singularity (a region of infinite curvature in spacetime) lay at the same point from wich the big bang came. Then he made a lot of theories regarding the black holes that were his main area of research. He didn't prove them, of course, and a lot of physicists didn't agree with him, but his reaserch was a great break through in science. He also tried to join two great theories of physics into one and was the author of two great books. He never gave up during his life being a reference to follow to a lot of people. He was one of the greatest scientists of this world and he will always be remembered.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed. How was it that he was able to cope so long with that disease? His persistence its totally a reference to follow as an example for life.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with Cote. Maybe it was his destiny to make a breakthrough in the science field. Hawking proves than even while dealing with a degenerative illness, he still was strong and persistent enough to go on with what he wanted to do the most.
ReplyDeleteHey Cristi, I really liked your post and It got me thinking about Stephen's theories about black holes that where not proved and I think the fact they are not is a good thing. At the start someone just belived a black hole was a star with enough gravity to pull it's own light back to its center so it would create the appearence of it absorving it, after this theorie appeard people discovered that couldn't be true because light travelled too fast and it was not possible for gravity to affect it. But in actuality we know because of Einsteins Theory of Relativity that spacetime can be changed and that when that happens manny things can get into a certain space but we aren't able to see that. By saing this my aim is to state again that non proved theories are a good thing because we start learning more and learning the truth starting by them even if they arent't right.
ReplyDeleteThis post really madre me question about the impediments that we put on ourselves as human beings, many times we do not try to do something because we believe that we are not capable of doing them because either we are not very good or we simply believe that we are not up to it. On the other hand, we have people like Stephen Hawking who, with such complicated and deteriorating diseases, could feel proud that their legacy will remain even when they are dead. This does not mean that the case of Hawking is the only one that exists, in the whole world there are people who fight against impediments not necessarily diseases but also racial and ethnic and have been able to triumph against all forecasts.
ReplyDeleteYes, a great person and so smart... especially because he was able to cope with his condition in the best way possible. You are so right, Pablo, we don't know the potential of our capabilities and usually we underestimate them...
ReplyDeleteWow, this post actually made me think about something that might have gone unnoticed, Stephen, after being diagnosed with ELA, was expected to live 2 years. Despite the fact, he kept working hard,even though that might have been his last days alive.
ReplyDeleteThis shows how dedicated and determined he was and this is why he is not only an example in science but in life in general. He is the definition of working hard to get the results you want.
Absolutely Andrés!
DeleteVery interesting article. I think Stephen Hawking is an example for all of us, because although he had ELA, he overcame the difficulties, and became one of the greatest scientist in history. After he died, I read a very interesting article about him and climate change that left me shocked and worried. It turns out that Stephen was terrified of climate change. Hawking warned the world that if we want to save from the threats of climate change we need to colonize Mars within 100 years. He also said that the Earth could become like Venus, with a temperature of two hundred and fifty degrees. As Stephen was one of the greatest scientist of our times, I think we urgently need to hear him and start taking action on how we can help our planet, because as Hawking said, this could bring terrible consequences to our lives.
ReplyDeleteHopefully people will start thinking about his suggestions now Cata!
DeleteWhat an article! It really made me question myself on how se judge people without knowing them. Who would have thought that someone with his condicion would be such an important scientist. It also amazed me his ability to cop with his disease, he was a great scientist and a great example. I really look up to him.
ReplyDeleteAmazing job!! I really liked your post Cristi. Stephen is now dead, and we keep talking about his remarkable studies and theories, and we will keep doing that for a long time. But we must remember that he was not only a scientist or an excellent physicist. He was a person who proved us that pacience and consistency is the key for all kind of sucess. He had to compite with many other brilliant minds, despite his disease (called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, that attacked his muscle function and ultimately left him confined to a wheelchair, with little independent movement) he managed to achieved his dreams, both in the workplace and in the family place (He had two exwifes and three children). We may have more than a billion people in earth but we do have few people like him. I really apreciate your article,thanks Cristi for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post I am really amazed about how important was Stephen Hawking and how he never gave up and fought for his life despite being diagnosed with ELA.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting fact is that even though he declared himself atheist. Saying that "No one created the universe and no one directs our fate," His funeral service (that would be today, saturday 31) will include traditional religious themes and will be held in the church near the Cambridge University College, that was his academic home for more than 50 years.
He was one of the greatest scientists of this world and now his legacy will live forever.
Very impressive! I can't believe the fact that he lived 54 more years than he was scientifically suposed to. I really recommend you the movie "The theory of everything" which is about Hawking's life.
ReplyDeleteI think this article was very interesting. Stephen Hawking is really somebody to look up to. He was able to challenge fate and live 54 more years than what he was expected to. He never gave up, and kept on investigating until the last day he lived. He always tried his best and is an example of perseverance for all of us.
ReplyDelete